Telescoping adjustable drain

ABSTRACT

An adjustable drain having catch basin defining: a pan with a pan seating portion along a pan perimeter surface; and a pan base that slopes downwardly and inwardly from the pan seating portion to a pan aperture for water flowthrough, an inner tube that is integral with the pan aperture having an inner tube peripheral wall that extends into an underside of the catch basin; and a pan lip extending upwardly from the pan perimeter surface to position the cover against the pan, the pan lip and inner tube are unitary with the pan to form a leakproof transition; an outer tube disposed below the pan base, the outer tube having an outer tube top end and an outer tube peripheral wall extending downwardly from the outer tube top end to an outer tube bottom end, wherein the inner and outer tubes are telescoping tubes.

BACKGROUND

The embodiments relate to a drainage system and more specifically to atelescoping adjustable drain. Drainage systems direct water todrainpipes in a ground. Issues may occur where water is allowed to drainthrough the structure rather than being directed to the drainpipes. Inaddition, issues may occur where the drain system is not flush with thesurrounding ground level.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Disclosed is an adjustable drain, including: catch basin defining: a panthat has: a pan seating portion along a pan perimeter surface that isgenerally flat and configured to seat a cover; and a pan base thatslopes downwardly and extends inwardly from the pan seating portion to apan aperture that is defined by a pan aperture boundary for waterflowthrough, an inner tube having an inner tube top end that is integralwith the pan aperture boundary and an inner tube peripheral wall thatextends downwardly from the inner tube top end to an inner tube bottomend, into an underside of the catch basin, and is sized to complementthe pan aperture boundary; and a pan lip surrounding and extendingupwardly from the pan perimeter surface and is configured to positionthe cover against the pan when the cover is seated on the pan seatingportion, wherein the pan lip and inner tube are unitary with the pan toform a leakproof transition therebetween; and an outer tube disposedbelow the pan base, the outer tube having an outer tube top end and anouter tube peripheral wall extending downwardly from the outer tube topend to an outer tube bottom end, wherein the inner and outer tubes areconfigured as telescoping tubes and the outer tube is disposed exteriorto the inner tube.

In addition to the above disclosed aspects, or as an alternate, theinner tube includes an inner tube crossmember that extends radiallywithin the inner tube and, end to end, is formed integrally with theinner tube peripheral wall, the inner tube crossmember being locatedintermediate of the inner tube top and bottom ends and having an upperthreaded opening at a radial center thereof; the outer tube includes anouter tube crossmember that has a center member that extends radially atthe outer tube bottom end and, end to end, is connect with the outertube peripheral wall via first and second flanges, the outer tubecrossmember having a lower threaded opening at a radial center thereof;and an adjustment rod extends between the upper and lower threadedopenings, wherein in operation, the adjustment rod is rotated to raiseor lower the catch basin, including the inner tube, relative to theouter tube, and wherein a length of the inner and outer tubes is suchthat the inner and outer tubes are configured to axially overlap at amaximum telescopic extension of the inner and outer tubes.

In addition to the above disclosed aspects, or as an alternate, theouter tube and inner tube are cylindrical tubes.

In addition to the above disclosed aspects, or as an alternate, theouter tube crossmember is a plate having a web defined by the centermember; the first and second flanges are shaped to compliment the outertube bottom end and extend circumferentially outward from the centermember such that the center member is located at respectivecircumferential centers of the flanges; the outer tube defines first andsecond grooves that are located and sized to respectively receive thefirst and second flanges; and first and second radial outer surfaces ofthe first and second flanges are flush with the outer tube peripheralwall, and a bottom surface of the outer tube crossmember is flush withthe outer tube bottom end.

In addition to the above disclosed aspects, or as an alternate, thefirst and second flanges are glued to the first and second grooves.

In addition to the above disclosed aspects, or as an alternate, spacerribs are formed on the inner tube peripheral wall to face the outer tubeperipheral wall and extend along the inner tube peripheral wall, fromthe inner tube top end to the inner tube bottom end, and are configuredto reduce contact resistance between the inner and outer tubes.

In addition to the above disclosed aspects, or as an alternate, the panlip extends downwardly to form a pan skirt that surrounds the undersideof the catch basin, and which is configured for positioning the catchbasin against a ground structure.

In addition to the above disclosed aspects, or as an alternate,reinforcement ribs are disposed on the underside of the catch basin andextend between the pan and the pan skirt, and the reinforcement ribs arearranged in a star configuration.

In addition to the above disclosed aspects, or as an alternate, each ofthe reinforcement ribs is generally triangular, with a first edgedisposed along the pan and a second edge disposed along the pan skirt.

In addition to the above disclosed aspects, or as an alternate, a thirdedge of the reinforcement ribs defines a scooped-arcuate shape.

In addition to the above disclosed aspects, or as an alternate, a panperimeter, defined by a pan perimeter boundary that surrounds the panlip, is square, and the pan aperture is circular and located at a centerof the pan.

In addition to the above disclosed aspects, or as an alternate, the panbase is defined by pan base sections that are generally planar, eachextending between adjacent corners of the pan, wherein adjacent ones ofthe pan base sections are connected by one of a plurality of pan groovesformed in the pan base, and wherein each of the plurality of pan groovesextends inwardly from the pan seating portion to the pan aperture.

In addition to the above disclosed aspects, or as an alternate, thecover has grate openings and has a cover perimeter, defined by a coverperimeter boundary, that is shaped to be received within the pan lip, sothat the cover is square configured to seat against the pan seatingportion.

In addition to the above disclosed aspects, or as an alternate, thecover defines a cover seating portion that extends inwardly from thecover perimeter boundary to a cover grate portion that has the grateopenings; and the cover seating portion is without grate openings and isshaped to complement the pan seating portion so that the cover seatingportion is against the pan seating portion when the cover is against thepan.

In addition to the above disclosed aspects, or as an alternate, a bottomside of the cover grate portion defines support ribs that extenddownwardly, away from the cover grate portion.

In addition to the above disclosed aspects, or as an alternate, thesupport ribs extend linearly, end to end, and are arranged in a starconfiguration to align with the reinforcement ribs when the cover isinstalled against the catch basin, wherein the support ribs are orientedto cross each other at a center of the cover.

In addition to the above disclosed aspects, or as an alternate, oppositeends of the support ribs are shaped to tapper toward the cover seatingportion, whereby the cover is configured to fit flush against the pan.

In addition to the above disclosed aspects, or as an alternate, thecatch basin is formed of plastic and the cover is formed of plastic ormetal.

Disclosed is a method of installing an adjustable drain having one ormore of the above disclosed aspects, the method including connecting theouter tube of the adjustable drain to a drainpipe installed in theground structure; and rotating the adjustment rod while the catch basinis rotatably stationary relative to the ground structure, to move thecatch basin upwardly or downwardly, depending on a rotational directionof the adjustment rod, until the pan lip is flush with the groundstructure or otherwise at a predetermined level.

In addition to the above disclosed aspects, or as an alternate, themethod includes seating the cover against the pan.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not limitedin the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicatesimilar elements.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an adjustable drain according to anembodiment;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the adjustable drain;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of a cover for the adjustable drain,according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a method of installing an adjustabledrain; and

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the adjustable drain with the coverinstalled thereon, and wherein the drain is connected to a drainpipe andflush with a ground.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the disclosed embodiments will now be addressed withreference to the figures. Aspects in any one figure is equallyapplicable to any other figure unless otherwise indicated. Aspectsillustrated in the figures are for purposes of supporting the disclosureand are not in any way intended on limiting the scope of the disclosedembodiments. Any sequence of numbering in the figures is for referencepurposes only.

Turning to FIG. 1 , an adjustable drain (or drain) 100 is shown. Thedrain 100 includes a catch basin 105 that has a pan 110. The pan 110 hasa pan seating portion 120 along an pan perimeter surface 130 that isgenerally flat and configured to seat a cover 140 (FIG. 5 ). A pan base160 slopes downwardly and extends inwardly from the pan seating portion120 to a pan aperture 170, defined by a pan aperture boundary 180, forwater flowthrough.

An inner tube 190 of the catch basin 105 has an inner tube top end 192integrally formed with the pan aperture boundary 180 and an inner tubeperipheral wall 200 extending downwardly (along an axial direction, A)from the inner tube top end 192 to an inner tube bottom end 194, into anunderside 202 (FIG. 2 ) of the catch basin 105. The inner tubeperipheral wall 200 is sized, at the inner tube top end 192, tocomplement (e.g., to match) the pan aperture boundary 180. A panperimeter lip (or pan lip) 210 surrounds and extends upwardly from thepan perimeter surface 130 and is configured to position the cover 140against the pan 110 when the cover 140 is seated on the pan seatingportion 120 (FIG. 5 ). The pan lip 210 and inner tube 190 are unitarywith the pan 110 to form a leakproof transition therebetween. In oneembodiment, a pan perimeter defined by a pan perimeter boundary 225 issquare, and the pan aperture boundary 180 is circular and located at apan base center of the pan 110.

Turning to FIG. 2 , an outer tube 230 is disposed below the pan base 160and has an outer tube top end 232 and an outer tube peripheral wall 234that extends downwardly from the outer tube top end 232 to an outer tubebottom end 236. The inner and outer tubes 190, 230 are configured astelescoping tubes, and the outer tube 230 is disposed exterior to theinner tube 190.

Turning back to FIG. 1 , the inner tube 190 includes an inner tubecrossmember 240 that extends radially (along a radial direction, R)within the inner tube 190 and, end to end 242, 244, is formed integrallywith the inner tube peripheral wall 200. The inner tube crossmember 240is located intermediate of the inner tube top and bottom ends 192, 194and has an upper threaded opening 250 (the threads may be providedinternally or via hex nut attached to the crossmember) at a radialcenter 252 thereof. Turning back to FIG. 2 , the outer tube 230 includesan outer tube crossmember 260 with a center member 261 that extendsradially at the outer tube bottom end 236 and, end to end 262, 264,connects with the outer tube peripheral wall 234 via first and secondflanges 380, 390. The outer tube crossmember 260 has a lower threadedopening 270 (the threads are provided similarly as above) at a radialcenter 272 thereof. An adjustment rod 280 (also in FIG. 1 ) extendsbetween the upper and lower threaded openings 250, 270.

Rotating the adjustment rod 280 raises and lowers the catch basin 105,including the inner tube 190, relative to the outer tube 230. This mayoccur without rotation of the catch basin 105 relative to the outer tube230. In operation, when the outer tube 230 is fixed to a drainpipe 310located in a ground structure 320, rotating the adjustment rod 280raises and lowers the catch basin 105 relative to the ground structure320. Thus, movement of the catch basin 105 occurs without rotation ofthe catch basin 105 relative to the ground structure 320. A length ofthe inner and outer tubes 190, 230 is such that the inner and outertubes 190, 230 axially overlap at a maximum telescopic extension of theinner and outer tubes 190, 230.

Remaining with FIG. 2 , in one embodiment, the outer tube 230 and innertube 190 are cylindrical tubes. In an embodiment, the outer tubecrossmember 260 may be a plate and the center member 261 defines a webof the plate 330. The first and second flanges 380, 390 are shaped tocomplement the outer tube bottom end 236 and thus are semi-circular inshape. The flanges 380, 390 respectively extend outwardly from thecenter member 261 such that the center member 261 is located atrespective circumferential centers 392, 394 (relative to acircumferential direction C, FIG. 1 ) of the flanges 380, 390. The outertube 230 has first and second grooves 420, 430 that are located andsized to respectively receive the first and second flanges 380, 390. Thestructure is configured so that respective first and second radial outersurfaces 440, 450 of the first and second flanges 380, 390 are flushwith the of the outer tube peripheral wall 234. In addition, a bottomsurface 455 the outer tube crossmember 260 is flush with the outer tubebottom end 236.

The outer tube crossmember 260 may be formed of metal, such as steel orother metal that is treated to be, or is naturally, rust-resistant. Inone embodiment, the first and second flanges 380, 390 are glued to thefirst and second grooves 420, 430. In an embodiment, the outer tube 230is formed from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and fixed to the drainpipe 310via a PVC adhesive, such as pipe cement.

Spacer ribs, generally referenced as 460, are formed on the inner tubeperipheral wall 200 to face the outer tube peripheral wall 234, andextend along the inner tube peripheral wall 200, from the inner tube topend 192 (FIG. 1 ) to the inner tube bottom end 194. The spacer ribs 460are utilized for reducing a contact resistance between the inner andouter tubes 190, 230.

A pan skirt 470 extends downwardly from the pan lip 210 to form an outershell of the catch basin 105 and surrounds the underside 202 of thecatch basin 105. A height of the pan skirt 470 may be approximately halfa height of the inner tube 190, though a longer or shorter skirt iswithin the scope of the disclosure, e.g., 25% to 150% of the length ofthe inner tube 193. The pan skirt 470 is configured for positioning thecatch basin 105 against a ground structure 320.

Reinforcement ribs 480 are disposed on the underside 202 of the catchbasin 105 and extend between the pan 110 and the pan skirt 470. Each ofthe reinforcement ribs 480 is generally triangular, with a first edge500 disposed along the pan 110 and a second edge 520 disposed along thepan skirt 470. As shown in FIG. 2 , a third edge 540 of thereinforcement ribs 480 defines a scooped-arcuate shape. Thereinforcement ribs 480 may be arranged in a star configuration. Forexample, respective ones of the reinforcement ribs 480 may extendbetween opposite skirt corners, generally referenced a 542, and bisectopposite skirt sidewalls, generally referenced as 544.

Turning back to FIG. 1 , the pan base 160 is defined by pan basesections, generally referenced as 550 with one of the pan base sections550 outlined in dashed lines for clarity. Accordingly there are foursuch pan base sections 550, which are generally planar. As used herein,the term section is not intended to require that the sections bestructurally separable from each other but instead may be portions of aunitary structure. Each of the pan base sections 550 extends betweenadjacent pan corners, generally reference as 560. Adjacent ones of thepan base sections 550 are connected by one of a plurality of pangrooves, generally referenced as 570 with one of the pan grooves 570outlined in dashed lines for clarity, formed in the pan base 160. Eachof the plurality of pan grooves 570 extends inwardly from the panseating portion 120 to the pan aperture 170. The sections and grooveshelp guide wastewater to the pan aperture 170.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the cover 140 is provided that has grate openings580 and has a cover perimeter defined by a cover perimeter boundary 585,that is shaped to be received within the pan lip 210. With thisconfiguration, the cover 140 is square. The cover 140 defines a coverseating portion 610 that extends inwardly from the cover perimeterboundary 585 to a cover grate portion 620 which has the grate openings580. The cover seating portion 610 is without grate openings and isshaped complement the pan seating portion 120 (FIG. 1 ). With thisconfiguration, the cover seating portion 610 disposed is against the panseating portion 120 when the cover 140 is against the pan 110.

In one embodiment, a bottom side 625 of the cover grate portion 620defines a plurality of support ribs, generally referenced as 630, thatextend downwardly, away from the cover grate portion 620. The supportribs 630 may be utilized when the cover 140 is fabricated from plasticand may not be required if the cover 140 is fabricated from a rigidmaterial such as metal. The support ribs 630 extend linearly end to end640, 650. The support ribs 630 may be arranged in a star configurationto complement, and overlap with, the configuration of the reinforcementribs 480. For example, respective ones of the support ribs 630 mayextend between opposite cover corners, generally referenced as 652, andbisect opposite cover side edges, generally referenced as 654. In oneembodiment, as shown, there are three elongate support ribs that crosseach other at a center 656 of the cover 140. The ends 640, 650 of thesupport ribs 630 may tapper toward the cover seating portion 610. Withthis configuration, the cover 140 is configured to fit flush against thepan 110 with the support ribs 630 engaging the pan 110 for supportagainst deformation of the cover 140 from weight due to, e.g., foottraffic.

Turning to FIGS. 4 and 5 , flowchart and schematic figure show a methodof installing the drain 100. As shown in block 510, the method includesconnecting the outer tube 230 of the drain 100 to the drainpipe 310installed in the ground structure 320. As shown in block 520, the methodfurther includes rotating the adjustment rod 280, while the catch basin105 is rotatably stationary relative to the ground structure 320, tomove catch basin 105 upwardly or downwardly, depending on a rotationaldirection of the adjustment rod 280. The rotation continues until thepan lip 210 of the catch basin 105 is flush with the ground structure320 or otherwise at a predetermined level. As shown in block 530, themethod includes seating the cover 140 against the pan 110.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is a preassembled configuration of thedrain. Embodiments that require on-site assembly are within the scope ofthe disclosure. For example, the outer tube, inner tube and adjustmentrod may be assembled on-site, before or after the outer tube is cementedto the drainpipe. In such configuration, the outer tube crossmemberwould be installed beforehand or could be connected to the outer tubeon-site with an adhesive or other implement.

The above drain is configured for being installed in a ground byrotating an adjustment rod (e.g., with a hex wrench, or hex fittingattached to a drill, engaging an exposed hex nut at the top of the rod,which spins against a top of the inner tube cross member) and withouthaving to rotate the catch basin. The catch basin is formed of plasticso that it is configured to provide a continuous leakproof flow path forwastewater, from the pan lip to the inner tube.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the presentdisclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification,specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,element components, and/or groups thereof.

Those of skill in the art will appreciate that various exampleembodiments are shown and described herein, each having certain featuresin the particular embodiments, but the present disclosure is not thuslimited. Rather, the present disclosure can be modified to incorporateany number of variations, alterations, substitutions, combinations,sub-combinations, or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described,but which are commensurate with the scope of the present disclosure.Additionally, while various embodiments of the present disclosure havebeen described, it is to be understood that aspects of the presentdisclosure may include only some of the described embodiments.Accordingly, the present disclosure is not to be seen as limited by theforegoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An adjustable drain, comprising: catch basindefining: a pan that has: a pan seating portion along a pan perimetersurface that is generally flat and configured to seat a cover; and a panbase that slopes downwardly and extends inwardly from the pan seatingportion to a pan aperture that is defined by a pan aperture boundary forwater flowthrough, an inner tube having an inner tube top end that isintegral with the pan aperture boundary and an inner tube peripheralwall that extends downwardly from the inner tube top end to an innertube bottom end, into an underside of the catch basin, and is sized tocomplement the pan aperture boundary; and a pan lip surrounding andextending upwardly from the pan perimeter surface and is configured toposition the cover against the pan when the cover is seated on the panseating portion, wherein the pan lip and inner tube are unitary with thepan to form a leakproof transition therebetween; and an outer tubedisposed below the pan base, the outer tube having an outer tube top endand an outer tube peripheral wall extending downwardly from the outertube top end to an outer tube bottom end, wherein the inner and outertubes are configured as telescoping tubes and the outer tube is disposedexterior to the inner tube.
 2. The drain of claim 1, wherein: the innertube includes an inner tube crossmember that extends radially within theinner tube and, end to end, is formed integrally with the inner tubeperipheral wall, the inner tube crossmember being located intermediateof the inner tube top and bottom ends and having an upper threadedopening at a radial center thereof; the outer tube includes an outertube crossmember that has a center member that extends radially at theouter tube bottom end and, end to end, is connect with the outer tubeperipheral wall via first and second flanges, the outer tube crossmemberhaving a lower threaded opening at a radial center thereof; and anadjustment rod extends between the upper and lower threaded openings,wherein in operation, the adjustment rod is rotated to raise or lowerthe catch basin, including the inner tube, relative to the outer tube,and wherein a length of the inner and outer tubes is such that the innerand outer tubes are configured to axially overlap at a maximumtelescopic extension of the inner and outer tubes.
 3. The drain of claim2, wherein: the outer tube and inner tube are cylindrical tubes.
 4. Thedrain of claim 3, wherein: the outer tube crossmember is a plate havinga web defined by the center member; the first and second flanges areshaped to compliment the outer tube bottom end and extendcircumferentially outward from the center member such that the centermember is located at respective circumferential centers of the flanges;the outer tube defines first and second grooves that are located andsized to respectively receive the first and second flanges; and firstand second radial outer surfaces of the first and second flanges areflush with the outer tube peripheral wall, and a bottom surface of theouter tube crossmember is flush with the outer tube bottom end.
 5. Thedrain of claim 4, wherein: the first and second flanges are glued to thefirst and second grooves.
 6. The drain of claim 5, wherein: spacer ribsare formed on the inner tube peripheral wall to face the outer tubeperipheral wall and extend along the inner tube peripheral wall, fromthe inner tube top end to the inner tube bottom end, and are configuredto reduce contact resistance between the inner and outer tubes.
 7. Thedrain of claim 6, wherein: the pan lip extends downwardly to form a panskirt that surrounds the underside of the catch basin, and which isconfigured for positioning the catch basin against a ground structure.8. The drain of claim 7, wherein: reinforcement ribs are disposed on theunderside of the catch basin and extend between the pan and the panskirt, and the reinforcement ribs are arranged in a star configuration.9. The drain of claim 8, wherein: each of the reinforcement ribs isgenerally triangular, with a first edge disposed along the pan and asecond edge disposed along the pan skirt.
 10. The drain of claim 9,wherein: a third edge of the reinforcement ribs defines ascooped-arcuate shape.
 11. The drain of claim 10, wherein: a panperimeter, defined by a pan perimeter boundary that surrounds the panlip, is square, and the pan aperture is circular and located at a centerof the pan.
 12. The drain of claim 11, wherein: the pan base is definedby pan base sections that are generally planar, each extending betweenadjacent corners of the pan, wherein adjacent ones of the pan basesections are connected by one of a plurality of pan grooves formed inthe pan base, and wherein each of the plurality of pan grooves extendsinwardly from the pan seating portion to the pan aperture.
 13. The drainof claim 12, wherein: the cover has grate openings and has a coverperimeter, defined by a cover perimeter boundary, that is shaped to bereceived within the pan lip, so that the cover is square configured toseat against the pan seating portion.
 14. The drain of claim 13,wherein: the cover defines a cover seating portion that extends inwardlyfrom the cover perimeter boundary to a cover grate portion that has thegrate openings; and the cover seating portion is without grate openingsand is shaped to complement the pan seating portion so that the coverseating portion is against the pan seating portion when the cover isagainst the pan.
 15. The drain of claim 14, wherein: a bottom side ofthe cover grate portion defines support ribs that extend downwardly,away from the cover grate portion.
 16. The drain of claim 15, wherein:the support ribs extend linearly, end to end, and are arranged in a starconfiguration to align with the reinforcement ribs when the cover isinstalled against the catch basin, wherein the support ribs are orientedto cross each other at a center of the cover.
 17. The drain of claim 16,wherein: opposite ends of the support ribs are shaped to tapper towardthe cover seating portion, whereby the cover is configured to fit flushagainst the pan.
 18. The drain of claim 1, wherein: the catch basin isformed of plastic and the cover is formed of plastic or metal.
 19. Amethod of installing the adjustable drain of claim 7, comprising:connecting the outer tube of the adjustable drain to a drainpipeinstalled in the ground structure; and rotating the adjustment rod whilethe catch basin is rotatably stationary relative to the groundstructure, to move the catch basin upwardly or downwardly, depending ona rotational direction of the adjustment rod, until the pan lip is flushwith the ground structure or otherwise at a predetermined level.
 20. Themethod of claim 19, including seating the cover against the pan.